Local fiddler groups to perform

Some members of the Pinetree Fiddlers: (left to right) Marissa Parker-Bair, Leon Robie, Ellie Sloane-Barton, Django Pignatello, John Gawler and Simone Laverdiere. (Submitted photo) FARMINGTON — The Arts Institute of Western Maine will present in concert, the Franklin County Fiddlers and the Pineland Fiddlers May 17, at 2 p.m. in Nordica Auditorium, University of Maine at Farmington. Both are traditional music groups made of exceptionally talented young people from Maine and directed by fiddlers Steve Muise and Ellen Gawler, respectively.

Franklin County Fiddlers was begun by local music educator and fiddler extraordinaire, Steve Muise, and is a group of auditioned Mt Blue High School musicians that changes from year to year. Although called the "fiddlers," this year there are many other instruments involved including several cellos, a bass, guitar, keyboard, accordion, drums, and others depending on the mood of the music. The result is a rich and varied sound as they produce toe-tapping tunes and beautiful waltzes from the Maritimes and the Old World all the way down to Cajun country, said a spokesperson for the group. The FCFs recently returned from a road trip into the south to New Orleans where they performed and also had the opportunity to hear concerts and visit some of the truly remarkable musical showplaces of the south.

The Pineland Fiddlers hail from communities from Bowdoinham to Farmington and Kingfield and most are students at the Pineland Suzuki School. Ranging in age from 10 to 16, this group of enormously talented young fiddlers has a maturity of sound that belies their ages. Directed by Ellen Gawler, one of Maine's top folk fiddlers, the Pineland Fiddlers play a lively and varied repertoire with an emphasis on the Quebequois and Maine traditions. They are particularly adept at weaving lovely harmonies into their tunes and some of the fiddlers have even composed tunes of their own. They have two CDs to their credit, and have toured Quebec and perform regularly throughout Maine at fairs, dances and concerts. Last year a group of the Pineland Fiddlers was chosen to represent the U.S.A. in Turkmenistan at their International Children's Music Festival. And this summer they are all traveling to Ireland to perform and to learn more about the Irish fiddling tradition first hand.

In Sunday's concert, each group will present a separate set to showcase their own special sound. But they will also join forces for a few tunes as well.

Admission is by donation (free to UMF students with ID); all proceeds will go to both groups to help defray the costs of their respective trips this year.

Contact Sarah Sloane at 778-4770 or Sloane@maine.edu for more information.